Cairns fishing, boating, sailing and diving
It's not uncommon to own a tinnie if you live in Cairns ... or something bigger. In fact, there are more than 11,000 boats registered in the Cairns region - approximately one for every 14 residents.
Our boating facilities include 13 boat ramp facilities, 27 boat ramp lanes, pontoons and jetties for estuary, river and ocean fishing.
Skip to:
Cairns Fishing
Every day in Cairns, you'll see kids out with a tackle box and line in hand, (or a rod strapped onto their bike) and families out with fishing rods and cast nets in the creeks or on the waterfront.
At the other end of the spectrum, big game fishing charters leave from Cairns and nearby Port Douglas. You can find more information in Tourism Tropical North Queensland's 'Angler's Guide to Fishing in Cairns'.
Fishing is a popular pasttime in Cairns, with teenagers throwing in a line after school close to home, and weekend boaties lining up at Cairns boat ramps early every Saturday and Sunday morning. Cairns fishing can be done in rivers, creeks, estuaries, the beach or out in the open water.
About an hour from Cairns, Tinaroo Dam on the Atherton Tablelands is also a favourite fishing spot for locals, where you might land a barramundi if you're lucky.
- Tingira Street pontoon, Portsmith
- Fig Tree fishing wharf
- Marlin Marina
- Along the Cairns Esplanade (hospital flats)
- River and creek mouths including the Barron River delta
- Palm Cove Jetty
- Barron River (old Bridge) at Stratford and Kamerunga crossing
- Russell River
- Mulgrave River
- Northern and Southern beaches and their headlands
- Fitzroy and Frankland Islands
Boat ramps in the Cairns area are well-maintained and most have toilet facilities nearby. Cairns is home to crocodiles, so boaties are reminded to take care and not clean fish near boat ramps. Many fishing charter companies in Cairns collate information for the fishing public on their websites about boat ramps and the best spots for each season.
Main boat ramps in Cairns include
- Trinity Inlet (Cairns Harbour) - several boat ramps on Trawler Base Rd, Tingarra St, Smith St and Redbank Rd
- Yorkeys Knob for good sea access
- Palm Cove - calm weather access
- Stratford, off the Captain Cook Highway, for Barron River access
- Deeral - two ramps - Russell River Rd 6.5km south of Deeral for Russell River access; and off Ross Road for Mulgrave River access
Cairns Sailing
From dinghys to superyachts, Cairns has extensive marine facilities for sailors of all sorts. So many idyllic and isolated islands and cays are within a day's sail of Cairns and many people love to make the most of it.
Whether you are seven and learning to sail, or you're 70 and need a place to berth or service your catamaran, Cairns has options.
Facilities, clubs and services for local sailors include:
- Cairns Yacht Club, in central Cairns, offers sailing courses for all ages and abilities
- Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron in central Cairns
- Cairns Marlin Marina in central Cairns
- The Big Boat Shed in central Cairns
- Half Moon Bay Yacht Club in the northern beaches suburb of Yorkeys Knob
- Buewater Marina in Trinity Park, north of city
Cairns Diving
On the Gold Coast, some schools offer surfing as a subject. In Cairns, you can learn to dive and become certified in the open water as part of your high school curriculum. (Some Cairns High schools also offer 'Aquatic Practices' as a subject, where you can learn all about fishing as well as marine industries!)
The Great Barrier Reef is on our doorstep, which makes it easy to discover the colourful world under the water.
Most dive companies offer locals' deals. Or you could try the easily-accessible islands near Cairns - Frankland, Fitzroy and Green Islands - a great option for weekend snorkelling.
If you want to learn to dive in Cairns or Port Douglas, there are a wealth of choices in terms of dive companies and diving locations around Cairns.
